3D Model Figurine Generators

I started 3D printing as a hobby in May 2023. At the time, most of my 3D prints were of models that other people created and uploaded to free online repositories such as the ones I’ve described here. I then took the next logical step of learning a CAD application called Tinkercad to create my own simple models. For some specific use cases, I’ve experimented with 3D modeling streets and terrain. Generative artificial intelligence exploded onto the scene in recent years, and now there are many websites that allow users to upload a photo and automatically generate a 3D figurine without knowing anything about mesh modeling of curved surfaces. In this post, I compare 2 free 3D figurine generators: PrintU by Bambu Lab and FanForge by Creality.

As depicted in the image at the top, I uploaded the same photo to PrintU and FanForge and generated 3D models. Both PrintU and FanForge had relatively easy to understand wizard interfaces, and both websites offered variations for how to generate the 3D models. I generated 3 variations in each application, and screenshots of the 3D models are presented below.

As you can see, the 3 models generated by PrintU were far more realistic than the ones generated by FanForge. In fact, the FanForge models did not even remotely match the facial features that were in the uploaded photo. The FanForge models were more “artistic” which could partially explain their deviation from reality, but if the starting point is a bust photo, I have an expectation that the resultant model should bear some resemblance.

I’d have to experiment with additional models generated by different photos before drawing more definitive conclusions, but my initial impression is that PrintU is the clear winner in this head to head comparison.